Flat-closing drinking-cup.



W. C. DIGKERSON. FLAT CLOSING DRINKING CUP.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.11, 1912.

1,069,236. Patented Aug. 5, 1913.

17 'lllllllllllll 9 L MIHMm ll ifilllll llm Ellllllll 11 1 z a Imam UNITED STATES PATENT orrion WARREN C. DICKEBSON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FLAT-CLOSING DRINKING- CUP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5,1913.

Application filed March 11, 1912. Serial No. 683,113.

which when not in use may be closed into a flat form and readily carried in the pocket or other place, and is of especial advantage to travelers.

The invention consists of a receptacle having metallic, flexible walls capable of being pressed flatly against each other to form a flat package or of being bowed apart from each other to form the necessary holding capacity.

The invention also comprises means for holding the flexible walls in expanded position. Y

Further features of the invention will brought out in the following description.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sect-ion on line ac -m Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an end view showingthe cup opened and arranged in self-supporting pbsit-ion- Fig. 5 is a plan View. Fig. 6 is'a side elevation of the device opened as in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 IS a perspective of the clasp. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the hook. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of another form, showing the cup in flat position. Fig. 10 is a. plan view of the cover for the form shown in Fig. i). Fig- 11 is .a side elevation part-lybroken away of the cover of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a plan view foot.

of the form shown in Fig. 9 when expanded. Fig. 13 is a perspective of the supporting Fig. 14 is a section on line- :vw Fig. 9; Fig. 15 is a plan view of the form of metal blank from which the spring frame of the form shown in Fig. 9 is constructed.

In the different forms shown the cup comprises a pair of metallic flexible sideswhich are capable of being flattened against closed position. The invention also includes means for holding the cup erect when it 1s opened ready for use, enabling the cup to be rested upon any flat su port.

In Fig. 1 the flexib e side plates 1 are formed of a single piece of metal as shown in Fig. 3, which is folded at the bottom and the end edges 2 are folded together to form a tight seam. A channel member 3 extends Y along the bottom to strengthen the bottom edge, and extending up along each end edge are channel members 4 which stiffen the edges. Lugs 5 are secured to the edge memhere 4 and pivoted to the lugs 5 by pins 6 I is an outer ail 7 and an inner bail 8, each of the bails being of angle shape in cross se'ctionand folding together when closed, as shown in Fig. 3. The plates 1 are given a natural bend so that when permitted to do so they will naturally expand into the position 5 iown in Fig. 4, and in order to close them. it is necessary to press them together against each other and swing the bails 7 and 8 into closed osition and then a clasp 9 which is pivoted at 10 is swung down to hold the two bails in closed position and thus lock the cup in flat closed position. By swinging the bails 7 and ,8 open as shown in Fig. tand engaging a book 11 which is pivoted to the bail 7 with the bail8, the bails 7 and 8 willact as supports for the cup and will hold it upright onany fiat support.

In form shown in Fig. 9 the flexible metallic plates 1 are fitted within a U-shaped spring frame 12 which is U-shaped in cross section. A spreading frame 13 fits over the frame 12 and is pivoted thereto at 14 and has lugs 15 which extend inwardly over pins 16 projecting from each side of one arm of the frame 12. A cam arm 17 is pivoted at. 18 to the spreading frame 13 and has knobs 19 enabling it to be easily operated and swung into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, during whic action its cam face 20 bears against the edge of the frame 12 and springs'the arms of frame 12 toward each other, causing the plates 1 to he bowed outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 12. During thisaction the pins 16 ride along under the lugs 15. A cover 21 is arranged to fit over the upper edge of this form of cup when it closed, the cover having an extension 22 which fits over the upper end of the arm 17 "so that when the cover is in position it is impossible to operate the arm 17. This is important' because if the arm 17 were to be swim around into dotted line osition when end of said lever to lock said lever a ainst the cover 21 is on, the plates 1* being prevented from spreading out and the frame 12 being collapsed would result in damage, which is obviated by the construction described: A foot 22 is pivoted to the frame 13 and when the cup is opened the foot 22 may be swung into a right angle position, as shown in Fig. 12 to support the cup.

What I claim is 1. A fiat closing cup comprising two flexible plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a U-shaped frame extending along the bottom and side edges of the plates, a

" spreading frame extending along the bottom and sides of the first frame, a lever pivoted to the spreading frame and bearing against the first frame for contracting the first frame to spread the plates apart.

2. A flat closing cup comprising two flexible plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a U-shaped frame extending along the bottom and side edges of the plates, a spreading frame extending along the bottom and sides of the first frame, a lever pivoted to the spreading frame and bearing against the first frame for contracting the first frame to spread the plates apart, and a grooved cover fitting over the upper edges of the two plates.

3. A flat closing cup comprising'two flexible plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a U-shaped frame extending along the bottom and side edges of the plates, a spreading frame extending along the bottom and sides of the first frame, a lever pivoted to the spreading frame and bearing against the first frame for contracting the first frame to spread the plates apart, and a grooved cover fitting over the upper edges of the two plates, the end of the cover projecting beyond the plates and receiving the clamping movement when the cover is on.

i. A fiat closing cup comprising two flexible metallic plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a metallic spring frame along the bottom and side edges of the plates normally holding said plates flat, and means for contracting said frame'and looking the frame in contracted position to hold the plates in bowed positio 5. A flat closing cup comprising two .fiexi ble plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a U-shaped frame extending along the bottom and side edges of the plates, a spreading frame extending along the bottom and sides of the first frame, a lever pivoted to the spreading frame and bearing against the first frame for contracting the first frame to spread the plates apart, and pins projecting from a side member of the first frame, said spreading frame having lugs which extend over said pins and slid ably rest thereon.

6. A flat closing cup comprising two flexible metallic plates secured at their bottom and side edges, a metallic spring frame along the bottom and side edges of the plates normally holding said plates flat, and means for contracting said frame and locl ing the frame in contracted position to hold the plates in bowed position, and a supporting member pivoted .at the bottom of the spreading frame and adapt-ed to be swung into a transverse position to support the cup.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 2d day of March 1912.

WARREN C. DIUKERSON.

in presence of'- G. T. HACKLEY, GLADYs RUSSELL. 

